Khalida Huseynzade
In the modern era, higher education institutions are not only organizations that perform teaching functions but also strategic academic centers that play a crucial role in the creation, dissemination, and application of scientific knowledge. Strengthening the research potential of universities is one of the key prerequisites for the development of a knowledge-based economy and innovation-oriented transformation. The aim of this study is to analyze the current state of the research potential of higher education institutions in Azerbaijan, evaluate indicators of scientific productivity, and identify existing institutional challenges. Within the framework of the research, a systematic review of the international scientific literature was conducted, and statistical as well as scientometric indicators reflecting the scientific productivity of Azerbaijani universities were analyzed. The results indicate that the increase in publications indexed in international databases and the growth in citation rates in recent years demonstrate the intensification of scientific activity. At the same time, differences in research productivity and resources among universities still persist. Limited funding, the heavy teaching workload of academic staff, and the fact that international collaboration has not yet reached the desired level are among the factors that may affect the development of research activities. Therefore, improving institutional governance and introducing mechanisms that stimulate research activities are considered essential for strengthening the research capacity of higher education institutions.